Former K-State Wildcat Damion McIntosh, a starter at left tackle in Miami, is the first free agent to visit.

By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star

Protecting their quarterback — whomever he might be — emerged as the free-agent priority for the Chiefs.

Their first and only visitor on the first day of free-agency Friday was Miami offensive tackle Damion McIntosh, who played in college at Kansas State. McIntosh, a six-year starter at left tackle with the Chargers and the Dolphins and an unrestricted free agent, would presumably replace Jordan Black.

Black started at left tackle for the Chiefs last season but is an unrestricted free agent.

Harris, a middle linebacker, was to arrive in Kansas City for a visit on Sunday. He could replace Kawika Mitchell, who also is an unrestricted free agent.

Coach Herm Edwards wouldn’t confirm the Chiefs’ interest in any particular player. He only indicated the Chiefs would be shopping.

“We’ve got some guys circled who we feel can come in and help us,” he said. “Now it’s just a matter of what the choking point is. You’re not going to mortgage your football team on any player.”

That McIntosh was the Chiefs’ first free-agent visitor reflects their concern about the state of their offensive line and left tackle in particular. The Chiefs, playing without the retired Willie Roaf, frequently struggled with their pass blocking last year.

They began the season with Kyle Turley as their left tackle, the player who protects the quarterback’s blind side and usually faces the opponent’s best pass rusher. Turley had missed the previous two seasons with back problems, and injuries forced him out of the lineup by the season’s third game.

The Chiefs then used Black, who played better than they expected. They still privately have acknowledged Black was out of position and is probably better suited to playing guard.

McIntosh, San Diego’s third-round draft pick in 2000, could help provide some stability to an otherwise uncertain offensive line. Guard Will Shields and center Casey Wiegmann are considering retirement.

The Chiefs had no stability last season at right tackle. They are hopeful Chris Terry, who signed at midseason, will provide some security at the position next season.

Edwards, in his first public comments since the Chiefs re-signed Damon Huard this week, revealed little about his plans at quarterback.

“It’s real simple,” Edwards said in explanation. “His contract was up. He’s a guy we wanted back in the program. It doesn’t say anything about anybody (else). We wanted him back, and he wanted to come back. It was what you do.”

The signing would seem to force the departure of Trent Green. The Chiefs also have Brodie Croyle, last year’s third-round draft pick.

The Chiefs have yet to ask Green to reduce his scheduled base salary of $7.2 million. They recently offered him to other teams in a trade.

Edwards indicated the Chiefs might be willing to keep Green.

“There’s a place here for all of our players,” he said. “It’s just a matter of where they fit. That’s going to be talked about and discussed. When we signed Damon, everyone threw up this big red flag: ‘What does this mean (for Green?)’ It doesn’t mean anything. (Huard) was a guy we wanted to bring back. He’s been a good quarterback. He’s won some football games for us.”

The Chiefs have eight unrestricted and seven restricted free agents who were free on Friday to begin shopping themselves around. Starting defensive tackle Ron Edwards was in Cleveland meeting with the Browns.

Defensive end Jared Allen, a restricted free agent, is able to pursue the trade he wanted from the Chiefs. But his agent, Ken Harris, said doing so would be pointless because any team Allen signed with would owe the Chiefs first- and third-round draft picks.

“Just today, I had two general managers say to me that he’s their top free-agent defensive end in the NFL right now,” Harris said. “But as soon as they said that, they pointed out that nobody ever gives up first- and third-round picks for a restricted free agent. Their point is, why should they give up first- and third-round picks now when they can get him next year (with no compensation)? So it is what it is. It doesn’t happen, and (the Chiefs) know that.”

Harris acknowledged Allen had little option but to eventually accept the $2.35 million, one-year contract the Chiefs have offered and play in Kansas City next season. He said he would talk with other clubs in hope of attracting an offer next year when Allen would be unrestricted.

“We’re going to take this window of time and do an early road show,” Harris said. “He’s not under contract right now, so between now and the time he signs that tender, we can talk to any team we want in preparation for next year.”

Harris took issue with reports he based his contract request on comparisons between Allen and Miami defensive end Jason Taylor, generally considered one of the top defensive players.

“I don’t know why anyone is basing what we asked for on Jason Taylor,” Harris said. “We put together an initial comparison of stats with 17 defensive ends. Taylor was included in that. Then we broke it up into some subgroups and Taylor was included in that. I don’t know why his name is coming up when we used so many players and even focused so much more on others than him.”

He wasn't great with SD but he was good for Miami. He wasn't over-dominate but he was still pretty good.

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"Just make sure you mention my name in the top brackets. And make sure they mention your name as the top - insert vulgar language that Chiefsplanet doesn't like even though it's a harmless lyric -....."

I ask because everyone says teams hold onto their QBs and LTs but the saints were prepared to part ways with him. Andhe still had 3 solid seasons left. Right now i'd give up a 3rd round pick for the best LT for 3 years.

I ask because everyone says teams hold onto their QBs and LTs but the saints were prepared to part ways with him. Andhe still had 3 solid seasons left. Right now i'd give up a 3rd round pick for the best LT for 3 years.